James Jamerson and the sung melody

[IamGroot]

Next time you are listening to James, check out how his bass line compliments what the singer is doing. James didn't compose bass in a vacuum or just groove with the drummer. In many cases, he was improvising and borrowing from the vocalists melody. In certain cases, like Marvin Gaye, his syncopation style matched the artist singing style.

Start with "What's Going On"

Marvin would not record if James wasn't available for the session. Understanding the interplay between those two makes the reason clear.

 

[IamGroot]

FYI, Paul McCartney was very much of James' playing, even if he didn't know his name.

 

[kesslari]

Marvin would not record if James wasn't available for the session. Understanding the interplay between those two makes the reason clear.

Apparently he would and did, especially after James got more erratic. Bob Babbit plays much of the bass on the rest of the "What's Going On" album.

 

[IamGroot]

Apparently he would and did, especially after James got more erratic. Bob Babbit plays much of the bass on the rest of the "What's Going On" album.

Thanks for clarifying that.

 

[IamGroot]

Apparently he would and did, especially after James got more erratic. Bob Babbit plays much of the bass on the rest of the "What's Going On" album.

What's Going On (Marvin Gaye album) - Wikipedia

Apparently James was drunk for some of his recordings. A shame.

 

[kesslari]

James was, according to the other members of the Funk Brothers, completely drunk when they recorded the tune "What's Going On". They had to go and find him, he was at a nearby bar, and he was so drunk that he couldn't sit on his chair (or stool or whatever he usually used) so he lay on the floor flat on his back, absolutely bombed, and played that masterpiece of a take.

 

[IamGroot]

I have been studying James style heavily for the last month in addition to playing his stuff for 20 years.

He is a true master.

 

[jamro217]

James Jamerson was a jazz guy at heart, played DB as well as the funk machine (which was probably close to a DB in feel with the massive strings and high action) and used his sense of polyphony to emphasize what the vocal line was saying. Motown would have been vastly different if the bass used a straight ahead root five eighth note pattern. That is why Mr. Jamerson is so important to the evolution of the bass in general. To uncork a timeless line like the one in "What's Going On" while inebriated on the floor is a wonder in itself and leads to the idea of having the music flow through you instead of you playing the music regardless of who actually penned it. Either that or he was such a polished machine at that point he could play in his sleep. Maybe a little of both.

 

[consectaneus]

I like Gerald Veasly's commentary in the SITSOM book. He describes hearing Darling Dear on a jukebox and how it sounded like the bass was playing a duet with Michael Jackson.

I think he also said it scared him to death because up to that time he was getting by playing mostly roots and fifths.

 

[consectaneus]

Also, we all know this because it's probably in "the book", but I read somewhere that his wife Annie said James just didn't talk about his work except when he was recording the What's Going On album. He mentioned that he was doing something special. I think this was at least one that he was proud of.

 

[jannodude]

Nice thread/subject.

Been playing Jame’s songs (bass lines) lately.

Good to know some new info.

 

[Basta-bass]

Yeah...
James Jamerson is THE bassman...
It's so obvious and simple when you ear him play! And then it's been 20 years I try do do the same and can't quite do...
My lines are ok and people who play with me are satisfied, but I know better... there's something missing...
Am I too sober?
Am I too white?
I fear I'm just not as gifted as he was.
You can't buy talent even with hard work and dedication, you can come near but never reach it!
That's why I 'm an architect who plays bass and he's a legend of music history!

 

[JaseOfBase]

I can’t remember where I read this...possibly here in another thread BUT James once said that his syncopated style came from hearing a different rhythm in his head than what was being played. He would tune in to the moments where the guitar, horns, or vocals, or drums would intersect each other and that is the space where his rhythm lived.

In the moment, I get lost counting out 16th note grids...and here he is hearing multiple instruments and playing where they connect or the empty space.

It’s crazy to think about...he’s a legend and different.

 

[T-boneParish]

Someone earlier said Motown would not have been the same if the house bass player had been playing more traditional, safe root-third-fifth kind of lines.

Imagine how Gladys Night's "Heard it through the grapevine" would have sounded with a safe, traditional bass line, and then listen to Jamerson's creativity. Just amazing.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Someone earlier said Motown would not have been the same if the house bass player had been playing more traditional, safe root-third-fifth kind of lines.

Imagine how Gladys Night's "Heard it through the grapevine" would have sounded with a safe, traditional bass line, and then listen to Jamerson's creativity. Just amazing.

The Marvin Gaye and CCR versions of "grapevine" aren't too bad, but this is absolutely the definitive version.

 

[bassstrangler]

James was, according to the other members of the Funk Brothers, completely drunk when they recorded the tune "What's Going On". They had to go and find him, he was at a nearby bar, and he was so drunk that he couldn't sit on his chair (or stool or whatever he usually used) so he lay on the floor flat on his back, absolutely bombed, and played that masterpiece of a take.

Could he still order brandy?

 

[jnewmark]

Someone earlier said Motown would not have been the same if the house bass player had been playing more traditional, safe root-third-fifth kind of lines.

Imagine how Gladys Night's "Heard it through the grapevine" would have sounded with a safe, traditional bass line, and then listen to Jamerson's creativity. Just amazing.

This is my favorite version of the song, ( and also the original version ). That bass line has to be one of the greatest funk lines of all time. For a more straight version, Marvin Gaye's fits that bill. Its a great song to begin with, and that surely helps.

 

[mambo4]

Also my favorite Jamerson Line

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Someone earlier said Motown would not have been the same if the house bass player had been playing more traditional, safe root-third-fifth kind of lines.

Imagine how Gladys Night's "Heard it through the grapevine" would have sounded with a safe, traditional bass line, and then listen to Jamerson's creativity. Just amazing.

This is so bizarre. I use a few of these licks, never realized until now who I stole them from!

Highly recommended:

 

[La Faro]

Also my favorite Jamerson Line

I think he's overplaying on that track, I wonder how Duck would have Dunn'it